Harlequin Artist Interview

Read our interview with the Harlequin artist
YOKO IWASAKI...

Manga by YOKO IWASAKI

THE DARKEST KISS Lords of the Underworld II

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INNOCENT MISTRESS, ROYAL WIFE

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THE MOST COVETED PRIZE Russian Rivals I

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Could you please introduce yourself?
I'm Yoko Iwasaki. I spend most of my day tending to my cat, who thinks it rules my home. In between doing that, I draw manga.
What made you want to become a manga artist? Have you always wanted to be one?
I've loved drawing manga ever since I was a kid, and used to draw manga-esque stuff a lot, but I never thought I'd become (let alone have the ability to be) a professional manga artist. In middle-school, I heard one of the older girls in my year wanted to become one, and it was the first time I realized that it was an actual profession. I didn't know if I could make it or not, but I just thought that as long as I gave it a try, it was possible. Once I'd thought that, I became determined to make it a reality.
How did you discover Harlequin?
Through my friends. I read a manga version of one, and everything snowballed from there.
Who are your favorite Harlequin authors?
Linda Howard, Penny Jordan, Leslie Kelly, Margaret Moore.
What's your favorite Harlequin book?
Without doubt "Mackenzie's Mountain".
Which of your manga do you like most and why?
Out of all the Harlequin I've made into manga, I'd have to say "THE DARKEST KISS Lords of the Underworld II". I loved the unique world that was depicted, and the hero and the heroine, too. The heroine, Anya, was especially fun to draw, because she was like a force of nature.
How long does it take you to draw a manga?
For Harlequin, the drawing by itself takes between a month and a month-and-a-half. If I don't have a deadline, I tend to take a bit longer.
Do you have any advice to give aspiring artists?
Just enjoy drawing first, then enjoy making the readers enjoy your drawing.
Do you have any interests other than reading and manga?
Just films and games.
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